"David's Place"

The Second Chance Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-199) reflects a comprehensive response to the increasing number of people who are released from prison and jail and returning to communities. There are currently 2.3 million people serving time in our federal and state prisons, and millions of people cycling through local jails every year. Ninety-five percent of all prisoners incarcerated today will eventually be released and will return to communities. The Second Chance Act will help ensure the transition people make from prison or jail to the community is safe and successful. Section 101 of the Act, in addition to providing grants to state and local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes that may be used for demonstration reentry projects, also allows for the establishment of a National Adult and Juvenile Offender Reentry Resource Center.

The Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative provides funding to state and local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes for demonstration projects to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of individuals who have been incarcerated. Funded demonstration projects will use validated and dynamic assessment tools to determine the risks and needs of offenders.
Projects will provide offenders in prisons or jails with all necessary services to facilitate reentry into the community. In addition, the projects will develop procedures to ensure that dangerous felons are not released from prison prematurely and provide services that address treatment needs and protect communities against dangerous offenders Allowable uses of funds to enhance a successful transition include: pre-release assessment and case planning, mentoring, housing, education, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, services to enhance family reunification, job training and readiness, and post-release case management and supervision.

Monroe County will use Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry funds to implement a neighborhood-based, family-focused reentry program, 'David's Place.' The program will be tailored to high-risk former offenders and will be based on Family Justice's 'La Bodega de la Familia' model, an award-winning reentry program that was based in New York City, and has been replicated across the country. Offenders will meet program criteria if: (1) they are returning to the target geographic area from federal, state, or local incarceration; (2) identify relationships with family members who are willing to participate; and (3) score 6)or above on the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services risk assessment, or 'moderate' to 'high' on the Self Awareness Questionnaire risk assessment validated assessment tools. Both the inmate and family will receive releases to sign indicating their desire to participate in the project. During the pre-release period, family members will meet with the inmate's reentry case manager to begin working on meeting the family's housing and other survival needs. They will be connected to family counseling services. Mentors will be available to meet with inmates in advance of release and will continue to work with them a few hours each week post-release.

CA/NCF